13.05.

1717: Birth of Empress Maria Theresa

Story Highlights

At the time of birth and childhood of Maria Theresa, her father ruled over a vast territory, which was perhaps the largest territory under the control of the Viennese court.

Maria Theresa, ruler of Hungary-Croatia and the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions, was born on this day in 1717.

Her father was Emperor Charles VI, the last male member of the Habsburg dynasty. He didn’t have sons, and his heiress was Maria Theresa. But, in many countries, only male members of a dynasty had a chance to inherit power.

Emperor Charles VI made many concessions to foreign powers in order to secure the recognition of his daughter as a legitimate heiress. After his death, some countries subsequently refused to recognize Maria Theresa, and many wars broke out due to her heritage.

Princess Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel gave birth to Maria Theresa. Elisabeth Christine had been a Protestant before her marriage. Then, she converted to Catholicism. Maria Theresa was born at the Hofburg Palace, Vienna, where the seat of the imperial court was located.

At the time of birth and childhood of Maria Theresa, her father ruled over a vast territory, which perhaps was the largest territory under the control of the Viennese court. Charles VI was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia, King of Naples and Sardinia, ruler of Belgium, and Duke of Milan.